Report: The Future of Arm’s-Length Bodies

This report based new research conducted by the LGiU and supported by the Carnegie Trust looks at the future role of arms length bodies in public service delivery.

The report identifies key challenges to quangos to ensure that they remain accountable and transparent.

Despite the Government’s ‘Bonfire of the Quangos’ research has shown that these bodies are growing at a local level and have maintained their positions to a large degree at a national level. The report argues that quangos can play an important role in helping governments and councils meet the challenges of the changing context for public service delivery.

However, the report also identifies a clear need for continuing challenge and reform of quangos. There is a concern about the democratic accountability of the bodies and how accountability is formalised within the structures of the organisation.